Rare: UN criticizes Hamas for “imminent executions”

In a rare move, the UN office of the high commissioner for human rights issued a press release today on Palestinian abuse of human rights, urging the “authorities in Gaza” not to carry out imminent death sentences given “serious doubts” as to whether capital trials in Gaza meet basic free trial standards. Notably, the UN rights office takes pains never to mention the word “Hamas.” UN release below.

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COMMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, RUPERT COLVILLE, ON POSSIBLE IMMINENT EXECUTIONS IN GAZA HC/16/41 | 25 May 2016

GENEVA (Issued as received) – “We are deeply concerned about recent statements made by the authorities in Gaza, including the Attorney General, of their intention to implement a number of death sentences, and fear that the first executions may be imminent. The Gaza authorities’ statements follow the demands of several families for the death penalty to be carried out against individuals accused of killing their relatives.

Death sentences may only be carried out in extremely limited circumstances, and pursuant to a trial and appeals that scrupulously follow fair trial standards. We have serious doubts as to whether capital trials in Gaza meet these standards. We are also concerned about reports indicating that these executions will be implemented without the approval of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which is required under Palestinian law.

Media reports indicating that the sentences could be carried out in public also raise alarm, as this is a practice which is prohibited under international human rights law.

We urge the authorities in Gaza to uphold their obligations to respect the rights to life and to a fair trial – which are guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Palestine is a party – and not carry out these executions. We also urge the Palestinian President to establish a moratorium on executions in line with the strong international trend towards ending the use of the death penalty.”